Matthew Bagley started his college career at Manchester Community College, where he took two courses during one semester. When asked what made him transfer to WCSU, the seasoned performer doesn't miss a beat: "In 2006, Western's theatre department was putting up 'The Full Monty' and I couldn't miss out on a chance at being naked in front of 500 people."

Bagley says he's loved theater "since I was a little kid," so pursuing it as his major "just made sense." In fact, he says, "I loved it so much I stuck around for five years before graduating."

Besides his memorable performance in 'The Full Monty," Bagley has tackled everything from Chekhov to Shakespeare; drama to musicals. He credits Professor of Theatre Arts Sal Trapani and the entire faculty of the WCSU theatre department with helping him develop his craft to the extent that he was named a Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Irene Ryan Acting Competition Regional Champion.

Asked what he will remember most about his WCSU experience, Bagley says, "It has to be being the first WCSU student in history to go to Washington, D.C., to compete for the Irene Ryan National Theater Scholarship.”

After graduation, Bagley says, "I hope to get signed at the WCSU New York showcase, and then move on to a lucrative career in either Broadway, film or television."

Bagley’s advice to new students entering WCSU is: “I don't know ... try to get done in four years."